The Difference Between Those Who Make Money on Medium and Those Who Don’t
I’ve been seeing more and more new writers coming on Medium from checking out recent followers and clappers and from our Medium community on Facebook, but as many as they are, I’ve been astounded by the fact that even more are quitting Medium — some due to struggles monetizing the platform.
By the way, I get it. There are many Medium writers who are not in this for the money. I actually started writing on Medium not knowing that I can monetize my writings but I’m very stoked that I can.
Personally, I get it and I can’t blame those who threw in the towel. For a 4-minute read piece on Medium with about 700+ words, my earnings are mostly $5 each with the exemption of lucky articles that really took off and got paid more than they deserve.
As one Medium writer said, that kind of wage for the amount of work is freaking demeaning; especially because writing isn’t as easy as non-writers think it is.
There are actual days when, even if I know this is the only job I’d rather do in the whole world, I doubt myself and my capabilities. I think about if this would really work out for me.
But some people actually make a living out of Medium
There’s even one person who managed to score $20,000+ last month but maybe you’re thinking,
‘But Leo that’s one out of tens of thousands of writers on Medium’
To bum you out even more, do you know that approximately only 7% of Medium writers crack the $100 mark every month?
That’s too low, right?
I managed to almost crack it on my first month of writing on Medium:
and T.S. Johnson managed to crack it on his first month!
The Mindset
I truly believe that this sets apart the people who make significant money on Medium and those who don’t.
There are many factors that one can state affects the income — niche, amount of output, how a writer markets his products.
Niches like writing, self-development and Medium topics are generally received well than others.
The amount of pieces a writer publishes a day definitely impacts the monthly cash out for obvious reasons:
More published = more views, reads, and fans can be collected
Also, knowing how and where to promote your writings can make a major difference:
Your mindset as a writer on a very competitive platform on Medium should be of a business person. Again, it’s totally cool if you’re not in it for the money but if you are, you need to:
- Set aside time to write just like any other hustle
- Put in the effort like it’s actually a damn business
- Know where to market your pieces — Medium members
- Never let setbacks get in your way
- Not let other people who quit Medium convince you to do the same
Some veterans I know on Medium only received a few cents on their first month. Now, more and more writers are coming into the 7% only within a couple of months.
If you want to make some extra cash, change your mindset. Don’t let other people’s negativity affect you. Quite frankly, I don’t understand people who spread it.
If you’re quitting, why announce it? There are new comers who get discouraged by it and even if what you’re preaching is true, it’s not the only truth.
There are plenty of other writers on our community who are willing to help out other writers by writing helpful articles about Medium and some writers will even take a look at your draft and help you craft it better.
Be among the few who thrived in the odds of ever making a significant amount on Medium. It’s not easy, and some days on payouts you’ll think it’s pure trash but I’ve picked up a puppy from a garbage bin before and he’s pure gold.
The only way you’ll not make money off of Medium is if you quit.
